Part of the fun of taking a road trip is in stopping in the towns along the way and taking a look around. I did that a couple of days ago in Williams, a town about halfway between Sacramento and Redding in the Sacramento Valley.
It was Sunday morning, and not many people were out and about. But my impression is that it’s a friendly town. When I on a bike and a guy in a pickup both arrived at a four-way stop from different directions, he waved me through ahead of him, with a smile, and I acknowledged his kindness with a wave of my own. See how little things can leave an impression far beyond their actual significance?
Founded in the 1870s, the town is surrounded by open country, totally flat, mostly fields that looked fallow this time of the year. They also looked kind of arid, and a nearby canal was totally dry. That region gets only about 15 inches of rain a year, according to Williams’ city website, compared to about 40 inches in Albany. So if you stay there overnight, make sure your morning shower is as brief as you can make it. (hh)
Spanning E Street, big sign lets you know where you’ve arrived.
A mural makes the old Williams Hotel look real and new.
When we travel down I-5, we generally stop in Williams to eat. There is a wonderful restaurant/deli there named Granzellas, which specializes in olives — all sorts and flavors of olives. We will pick up large jar (about half a gallon size I think) it’s a tough decision as they are all so good. The olives last a long time once we get them home.
Did you by chance go into Granzellas?
Rode by it on my bike, but didn’t go in. Looks like I missed out. (hh)
Great tip. Their green olives stuffed with jalapeno’s are my favorite. Just don’t eat too many lest you suffer on the “southern end” the following day!
I speak from experience!